After missing the playoffs for a third consecutive season and a 34-36-12 record, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan are parting ways, ending his ten-season tenure with the team. The decision was announced Monday by Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas. 

In his head coaching career Sullivan has coached two teams: Penguins, and Bruins. He was also assistant coaches for the Rangers, Canucks, and Lightning. Before being hired by the Penguins in the middle of the 2015-16 regular season, he coached the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL. In his tenure with the Penguins he has accomplished a lot, including becoming the winningest coach in Penguins history and winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sullivan led the Pens to the playoffs in his first 7 seasons behind the bench. He has a 409-255-89 record with the Penguins and 479-311-112 record in his career with 15 ties. In the postseason he went 44-38 with Pittsburgh and 47-42 overall. His 479 career wins are good enough for 32nd all time and prior to being fired he was the second longest tenured head coach just behind Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach John Cooper.

Despite firing Sullivan, Kyle Dubas had high praise for the former Pens Head Coach. “On behalf of Fenway Sports Group and the Penguins organization, I would like to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the team and City of Pittsburgh over the past decade. Mike is known for his preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness.” Dubas later stated, “This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but as we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved.”